Refrigerating apparatus



oct. 1a, 192s'. y

4 E. J. BRUNNING REFRIGERATING AFPARATUS 'Filcdpril 26, 1920 2 She'ets-Sheet l E. J. BRUNNING REFRIGERATING APPARATUS mea Apg-11 ze, 1920 2 shun-snm a CONDE/V551? Patented oct. 1 3, 19,25.Y

UNITI-:Dl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST J'. BRUNNING, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN'E ASSIGNMENTS, T0

DELGO-LIGHT COMPANY, OF 'IAYTON, OBIS,

n conromrroar or DELAWARE.

nnrnrcnnarnc Arrmrus.

appncation'mea Aprnae, 1920. serial 1ra. 376,540;

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST J. BRUNNING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating Apparatus, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to a refrigerating system of the t e in which a refrigerant, such as sulphur oxide, is used, and the object thereof is to provide a simple, eliicient and reliable means for automatically controlling the Water circulating system, such means being electrically controlled by the same current which passes through the usual electric motor for operating the gas pump. The'construction and arrangement of said means are such that the water circulation system will be closed to prevent waste or unnecessarynse of water when the motor vis'dle but .Wlll be operated immediately upon the operation of the motor and will remain open'until the motor stops again.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of a controlling means embodying my invention and illustrating one form thereof which is adapted for large refrigerating machines; -F1g. 2 a sectional plan v iew on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the lower end of the controlling valve; Fig. 4 `a perspective of the ferrule; Fig. 5 a bottom plan of the sole# noid cap; Fig. 6 a section of a modified insulatinv plug; Fig. 7 a perspective of the solenoi casing; and Fig. 8 a diagrammatic view of a refrigerating system including my invention. I

Referring first to'jthe diagrammatic view, Fig. 8, the pump chamber 4is indicated at 1, the condenser chamber at 2, the pump at 3, the motor for operating the pump at 4,

the casing of my water controlling valve at 5, the water inlet thereto at 6, the water outlet therefrom at 7, such outlet extending to the condenser, the expansion valve at 8, the refrigerating coils at 9 and the return pipe from such coils to the pump chamber at 10.

Still referring to the diagrammatic view..-

the electric connections consistof the line wires 11-11 controlled by the line switch 12, fuses 13, main line wires 14 and 15, extending to the motor 4f.r A shunt -circuit runs from the main wires.-14 and 1 5 to the -provide within the casing controlling .valve 5, such circuit lconsisting ofthe wires 16 and 17. By preference there .is lnterposed in one of the main lines 14- 15, an automatic switch, diagrammatically illustrated by the automatic connector bar 18 adapted to automatically connect the terminals19 and 20, formed in the main4 lme 15.

The main object of my invention is to 5 an electrically operated valve for controlling the How of water t0 the condenser chamber accordingly as the pump motor is running or is idle, with the result that the water is admitted to the condenser only YYwhen the motor is running. In the same `system there is provided the automatic switch 18 which controls .the running of the motor accordingly to the temperature desired in; the system, with the result that the motor is stopped when thetemperature falls to a predetermined minimum.

Referring to the Water control means, the

same is illustrated in its actual practical embodiment in Fig. 1, which is the particular type used for large sized refrigerating systems. Within the casing 5 there is formed a solenoid coil 21, which is electrically connected with 4the wires 16 and 17, within which reciprocates a plunger 22 whose lower end is formed as or provided with a valve 23'whicl1 is here conical in form and adapted:

to`control a port l24, formed in the pipe fitT ting or connection 25. The ,solenoid thus described generally is formed in the partic-l ular way now to be described in order that it may properly perform its functions forthe particular use in which I employ it. The solenoid casing 5 is provided with a cover 26 havin the depending iron core 27 extending within the cylindrical tube 28 of the solenoid. v This cover is provided with a number of diametrical slits .29 and the core 27 is provided with diametrical slits 30, and likewise the casing 5 with a slit 5a. These slits 29 and 30 are so disposed that they do not coincide with each other and hence the connection betweenthe top of the core and the cover is maintained and such core and cover are left connected together, the same being in practice an integra-1 piece. The object of these slits is to prevent the setting up of eddy currents.-

Within. the solenoid tube 28 there is proing material, such as bakelite, the same being provided at its exterior with a fla-nge 32. Within this plug there is' provided a ferrule 33, preferably made of brass, and closed at its upper end and open at its lower end. The lower end of this ferrule is screwthreaded into the flange portion 32 of the lplug and into the pipe fitting 25. The bore of the ferrule is of aA size to receive the solenoid plunger 22 which reciprocates therein. The object of this plug is to prevent the entrance of any water from the pipe fitting 25 into the solenoid, which would obviously have an injurious effect. By preferance the plunger is made of noircorrosive steel inasmuch as Vit is exposed to the water throughout its length.

The ferrule is preferably split as at 33a and the plunger is preferably provided with a series of longitudinal slits as shown at 34, for the same purpose as the slits 29 and 30.

The pipe connection 25 is provided with an inlet 35 extending from the water supply pipe or source of water pressure and also with a water discharge pipe 36. The passage of water from the pipe 35 to the pipe 36 is controlled by means of the valve 23, which covers said port 24. The construction thus far described is suitable for refrigerating systems of fairly small capacity, in which event the discharge pipe 36 would run directly to the condenser of the system. However, when my controlling means are used for refrigerating apparatus of larger capacity I employ the particular construction shown in Fig. 1, according to which the solenoid plunger and its valve is a part of a relay device for controlling another valve which -is interposed in the water supply from the source of water to the condenser.

Describing the particular construction shown in Fig. 1, the discharge pipe 36 counects with the upper end of a casing formed of the body 37 and cap 38. This pipe discharges into a pressure chamber 39 formed in the upper part of the casing and containflexible diaphragm 40 clamped at its between the casing and interposed ring 41, located between such edges and the cap 38. To thisdiaphragm there is secured a head or follower 42 provided with a vertical valve stem 43. A water controlling valve 44 is provided on this stem 43 at a point intermediate its length and adaptedv to be normally seated, by means of the spring 45, on a valve seat 46, which is formed in the connection between the inlet passage 47 and the outlet passage 48 in the casing 37. This stem 43 extends downwarding a edges ly below the valve 44 and is guided by the central hole 49 in the screw plug 50. The passages 47 and 48 communicate respectively with the passages 6 and 7, shown on the diagrammatic view. The diaphragm is provided with a leakage port 51 to permit the water trapped thereabove, if the valve 23 has closed, to leak therethrough and to escape to the passage 48, The bottom of the diaphragm chamber is preferably provided with a circular groove 52 and with radial grooves, 53, for conducting water therebelow to the central lower portion of lthis diaphragm chamber, from whence it then escapes through the centralvopening 54.

, Describing the operation of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, when both the hand switch and the automatic switch are closed and current is supplied to the motor, thereby actuating the pump, the current will likewise be supplied to the solenoid, and the valve 23 will thereby be lifted by the solenoid action and the port 24 will be open. The water under pressure will thereupon be admitted from the pipe 35 into the pipe 36 and thence against the upper surface o the diaphragm 40. In this construction the valve 23 acts as a pilot valve with respect to the -diaphragm-operated water control valve 44. The diaphragm will thereupon be forced downwardly and Water valve 44 will. be forced away from its seat 46, with the result that the water under pressure will be admitted from the pipe 6 through the water passages 47 and 48 into the water pipe 7 leading to the condenser. When the motor stops either automatically -by reason of the automatic action of the switch 18 or the hand -switch 12, not only will the motor stop running but the current will be cut olf from the solenoid and the valve 23 will thereupon seat and close the port 24. The water trapped below this port will leak through the diaphragm port 51 and out through the passage 48. Thus it will be seen that the water pressure on the diaphragm will be maintained so long asthe motor is running and consequently the water valve will remain open against the pressure of the spring during that time and until the pilot valve closes. The water valve 44 is restored to its closed position byv means of the spring 45 after the water pressure above the diaphragm has been relieved by leakage throughthe port 51.

Describing the operation of the device 'such as used on the smaller capacity apparatus, that is, minusthe diaphragm cont-rolled water valve 44, the pipe connection 35 would be the equivalent of the pipe 6 and pipe 36 the equivalent of the pipe 7. Also, the valve -23, instead of being a pilot valve, would be the water control v alveitself, which would and 48. It will be understood that when the solenoid is used on direct current the cap may be made entirely of brass and the iron parts may be made solid, inasmuch as in such case there are no eddy current losses.

If desired the ferrule may be dispensed with and an insulating plug 55 such as shovvn in Fig. 6may be employed to take the place of the plug 31 and the ferrule 33. The ferrule construction is preferred for manufacturing reasons, inasmuch as, being of metal, it takes the screw threads better.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a 4preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

l. In a refrigerating system, the combinationwith a condenser; of a pump for causing a refrigerant to flow tothe condenser; a motor for operating the pump; a condu1t for supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main valve controlling the c onduit; and means for opening and closing the main valve, said means comprising a Huid pressure device including a branch conduit connected with said cooling water conduit, a second valve for controlling said device, a single electromagnet for operating the second valve, and means rendered operative immediately upon the closing of the second valve for permitting the closing .of the main valve.

2. In a refrigerating system, the combination with a condenser; of a pump for causing a refrigerant to flow to the condenser; a motor for operating the pump; a condu1t for supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main valve controlling the c onduit; and means for opening and closing the main valve, said means comprising a fluid pressure device including a branch conduit connected with said cooling water conduit., a second valve for controlling said device, a single electromagnet for operating the second valve, and means for-relieving pressure on said device, said -means operat-v ing immediately upon second valve whereby the main valve Will be closed.

3. In a refrigerating system, the combination With a condenser; of a pump for causing a refrigerant to flow to the condenser; a motor for operating the pump; a condu1t for supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main valve controlling the conduit; and means for opening and closing the main valve, said means comprising a connected with said the closing of the,

branch conduit connected With said cooling Water conduit and a I'iuid pressure operated diaphragm having a leakage port, a second valve for controlling the branch conduit, said leakage port being adapted to relieve the pressure on said diaphragm immediately upon the closing ofthe second valve whereby the main valve will be actuated.

4. In a refrigerating system, the combination With a condenser; of means for causing a refrigerant to flow to lsaid condenser; a conduit for supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main. valve the conduit; means for causing the movenient of the valve toward opening or closin position, said means comprising a fluid pressure device including a branch conduit cooling Water conduit, a second valve for controllingsaid device, a single electromagnet for operating the second valve; and means dependent upon the temperature of the system for controlling the electromagnet and the means for causing the flow of refrigerant.

5. In a refrigerating system, the combination with a condenser; of means for causing a refrigerant to flow to said condenser; a conduit for` supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main valve for controlling the conduit; means for causing the movement of the valve toward opening or closing position, said means comprising a fluid pressure device including a branch conduit connected with said coolin 'Water conduit, a second valve for contro lng said device, a single electromagnet for operating the second valve, and means rendered operative immediately upon the closing of the second valve for permitting the closing of the main valve; land means dependent upon the temperature of the system for controlling the electromagnet and the iloW of refrigerant.

6. In a refrigerating system, the combination with a condenser; of a pump for causing a refrigerantl to How to the condenser; a motor for operating the pump; a conduit for supplying cooling Water to the condenser; a main valve controlling the conduit ;and means for opening and closingthe main valve, said means comprising a fluid .pressure device including a branch conduit connected with said cooling Water conduit, a second valve for controlling said device, and electromagnetic means for controlling the second valve, the ele'ctromagnet being so related to the motor that upon the starting or stopping of the motor the second valve is actuated.

' ERNEST J. BRUNNING.

for controlling the means for causing 

